Hello all, just found the site and forum and it looks like this might be a great place to find out more about my mother’s family’s roots. Both of my grandparents came from the area of Kosice on or about 1910, emigrating to PA and OH. I have found both of their surnames (Seman & Matyas) in what is now the village of Brezina (formerly Kolbasa). They worshiped at a Byzantine Catholic church until the days they died and I would eat very traditional Slavic food growing up. While Brezina is extremely close to the Hungarian border, by all appearances my mother’s family would indeed be Slavs from the Carpathians (Carpatho-Rusyn) and not Magyars (not that there is anything wrong with being a Magyar).

I would be very interested if there is any additional information about the area, the village, or even these specific families that anyone has. I do have a little additional information, but frankly not much. Thanks to all who can assist and I am glad I found you!